UK Archives - Page 11 of 13

And a time for making new friends

January 5, 2007 By Paola 2 Comments

Father Christmas made a special visit on Christmas Day, courtesy of our friend’s father.

So we’re off back to Seattle tomorrow.

We have had a magical Christmas. There’s nothing like being in the country for only a limited amount of time to make all your friends eager to meet up, so we’ve been having the most incredibly social time and meeting up with different people morning and evening, for lunch and dinner. I’m twice the size I was when I arrived, utterly exhausted and my liver is screaming for mercy.

The Minx has had the most fabulous time. It’s amazing to see how much she remembers – she has been thrilled to see all her little friends and her favourite animals, playgrounds and parks. Every day has brought a new treat, and it’s been gorgeous to see her literally dancing and clapping her hands with excitement.

Which is all making me feel like the world’s worst mother taking her back to Seattle. We haven’t made that many friends there yet – certainly none to rival the group of babies that the Minx has known since very soon after she was born – and life is rather more sedate and much more mummy-centric than it is here.

I think we’re going to have to come back very soon.

I’m absolutely dreading tomorrow’s ten hour flight and the subsequent jetlag – though for me the journey will finally mark the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one.

We’ve had a pretty tough time for a variety of reasons over the past few years, but 2007 is currently seeming pregnant with potential. I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring.

Christmas is…

January 4, 2007 By Paola 4 Comments

… good food and wine

Notting Hill

November 15, 2006 By Paola 3 Comments

One of the reasons I’m feeling so homesick is that our last week in Notting Hill was such as lovely one.

The weather was spectacularly good – amazingly warm for the beginning of November, with cloudless crisp blue skies. It seemed impossible that it could ever rain in London.

After we moved out of our flat, we stayed at Guesthouse West on Westbourne Grove, the hotel where we’d held our leaving party a couple of weeks previously (which I just didn’t have time to blog about).

It’s a lovely little hotel, though it must be admitted that our room was rather cramped, what with a baby and a cot and the fact that we were maxing out our inflight baggage allowance and had a ludicrous number of suitcases.

But the staff were friendliness personified – as they had been at our party – the public rooms inordinately comfortable, and the location to die for.

So I spent the last few days lunching at 202, lounging with friends in the hotel bar, popping out to Tavola and playing with the make-up in Space NK.

Some girlfriends and I dined in the labyrinthine gothic cosiness of Julie’s – a Notting Hill institution if ever there was one – renowned for its incredibly sexy ambience (it’s the nooks and crannies that do it) and dreadful food, though even that rose to the occasion by being really quite edible.

I also finally found the time to use the gift voucher for the uber-hip Cowshed in Clarendon Cross which I’d been given for Mother’s Day and treated myself to a ‘Cowgroom’ – two therapists working together to give a facial and a manicure, with all sorts of extra head, shoulder and feet massages thrown in. I think it was utterly blissful, but can’t be quite sure as I fell asleep half way through. My skin and nails sure looked fabulous afterwards though.

All in all, and for a brief few days, I got to experience what Notting Hill must be like if you’ve got unlimited money and unlimited free time, or indeed if you’re the woman in the therapy cubicle next to mine, who could be heard declaiming loudly, ‘yes, darling, I’ve got a premiere tonight and I can’t possibly go with hairy armpits’.

Yes, I was DYING to see who it was, but at the time was half-naked and pinned down by two beauticians, so couldn’t go and peek through the curtains.

Moving On

October 30, 2006 By Paola 4 Comments

I am writing this surrounded by packed up boxes, trying to steel myself for yet another evening of sorting and packing.

Tonight is our last night in the flat. In every direction all I can see are boxes and memories.

This is the flat I bought eleven years ago as a single girl, though my boyfriend at the time I was buying it soon became my fiance and then my husband.

This is the flat where I spent the night before my wedding and to which I came back as a new bride.

This is the flat which has seen me return late and leave early for four different jobs and it was at this desk overlooking the street that I decided to start mirrormirror.

This is the flat which has been stuffed full of cushions, candles and packing boxes for the best part of the last two years.

This is the flat where I suffered through four miscarriages and where I discovered I was pregnant with the Minx.

This is the flat where I had a terrible bleeding episode while pregnant and was convinced I was miscarrying, only to find that the baby was still safe and sound.

This is the flat which we brought our baby home to after a worrying week in the Special Baby Unit, where we tiptoed around introducing her to every room.

This is the flat where I sat breastfeeding for hours at a time feeling depressed and miserable.

This is the flat where my baby learned to walk and learned to talk.

This is the flat where we decided to go to Seattle.

This is the flat where I’ve spent the happiest years of my life so far.

The photos are not very good, being quickly taken one evening to send to a journalist. You must also remember that normally the flat is covered with a thick layer of bright plastic toys.

Origin-ality (silver and ceramics)

October 15, 2006 By Paola 7 Comments

Better late than never, I thought I’d post up my thoughts on Origin, the fabulous new London craft fair, which has been taking place over the last two weeks in a superb new venue in the courtyard at Somerset House.

The purpose-built pavilion was wonderful – spacious and full of natural light – and the show itself was the perfect size – loads to see, but ending before that point when your eyes glaze over and you never want to see another hand-knitted teapot ever again. And we were lucky enough to go on two occasions when it was warm enough to have lunch afterwards outside on the terrace overlooking th Thames, such a fab thing to be doing in October in London.

Anyway, highlights for me included Sian Matthews’ amazing bendy pewter doilies (which looked great bent round a coffee table)

and etched silver bowls on matching acrylic mats.

and Lynn Miller’s funky silver and acrylic salad servers and ice cream paddles (which would make a great Christening gift – fancy being ‘born with a silver ice cream paddle in one’s mouth’). I’m clearly going through a silver and acrylic moment.

In ceramics I loved the handpainted vases and platters from Alexandra Mitchell and Annette Bugansky’s wonderful ‘knitted’ vases (also some fabulous ‘knitted’ ceramic buttons). I’m going to be exploring whether we can get some of their products onto mirrormirror.

I also treated myself to a ‘ceramic butter dish that looks like Tupperware’ from the lovely Johanna at YoYo Ceramics and am also investigating getting her apples and Pears kitchen tidies into the shop.

The absolute ceramics highlights for me though were finally meeting up with one of our favourite suppliers and blogging superstar Karin Eriksson and seeing the work of the amazing Kate McBride, who makes incredible rococo-style porcelain, which at first glance looks like it should be in Buckingham Palace, but which reveals all sort of witty modern references when you examine it more closely.

I’m not entirely sure her work would fit into my house (just imagine the dusting!), and it really is too kitsch for school, but the absolute highlight of the whole two weeks for me was the sublime madness of her enormous and literally awe-inspiring rococo porcelain lovers’ chess set, complete with large porcelain figurines representing the chess pieces and a standalone porcelain double bed and wedding chapel that the pieces could retire to half way through the game (don’t ask) . Apparently Selfridges have commissioned a couple (which will retail for £750) and I would have got one in for mirrormirror, but it’s not exactly mail-order friendly. Unfortunately Kate doesn’t yet have a picture of it available on her website.

I’ve just realised that I’ve got loads more people to mention so I think there’s scope for another post tomorrow

Legacy of 9/11

September 14, 2006 By Paola Leave a Comment

Off to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square today to finalize our visa application.

Grosvenor Square in the heart of Mayfair is one of London’s largest and most beautiful squares. But now the area round the embassy is surrounded by a cordon of heavy concrete blocks, the embassy itself is surrounded by temporary and ugly metal fencing, and heavily armed police are patrolling in all directions. British police aren’t usually armed, so it still comes as a shock to see policemen brandishing the latest in automatic weaponry.

Armed with dozens of forms in triplicate, and photographs that made us look like the Baader-Meinhof gang (the Minx looks particularly evil), we presented ourselves at the end of the first queue outside the building. And were then led to another queue. And then another queue. Only then were we allowed into the building via airport-like security, checking in laptops and mobile phones along the way. No liquids or cosmetics are allowed.

Once inside, the process was actually more efficient than we’d feared – a couple of hours waiting in a cavernous waiting room, fingerprints taken and re-taken, forms and photographs double and triple checked, followed by a rather cursory interview (am I being cynical in thinking that our skin colour might have had something to do with this?)

As we left the building we were directed for the first time past the imposing front staircase, and marvelled that once upon an innocent time, passers-by must have been able to walk up and down these stairs as they pleased. Now no passer-by can get within 30 yards of the building, brooding behind its concrete and steel cordon.

Isn’t it sad to think that – according to this very interesting article – the building was initially conceived as an embassy and cultural centre – with people popping into the library to learn more about American culture, attend a jazz concert or visit an art exhibition?

Shopping Notting Hill – Part 2

September 12, 2006 By Paola 3 Comments

So you’ve just been dragged kicking and screaming out of Diptyque and need some sort of addictive substance to calm your nerves. Your best bet is to turn the corner into Ledbury Road and pop into melt – London’s coolest chocolatier according to Time Out.

The shop itself is white and cool, with shelves and tables groaning with handmade chocolates. At the back is a shiny stainless steel kitchen where the chocolates are actually made.

The flavours can be exotic – truffles filled with passionfruit, raspberry or mango coulis or flavoured with green tea or coconut – or traditional with caramel, mint, nuts or marzipan. By way of research I found myself buying an assortment for the Husband’s birthday and can confirm that they are some of the most delicious chocolates I’ve ever tasted (and believe me that’s saying something).

After you’ve staggered out of melt, the next thing to do is cross the road to Ottolenghi, yet another newish deli – which specialises in the most delicious pre-prepared food, breads and cakes to take away. There are also a couple of tables at the back where you can eat in, but they are almost impossible to get hold of.

A bit of retail therapy will soothe your disappointment at not getting a table, so pop round the corner to Brissi on the north side of Westbourne Grove – for very chic and very French interiors accessories. It’s the sort of shop I’d love mirrormirror to be when it grows up and I’m a bit dismayed to see that it’s going online too. Don’t make a note of the URL!

After pausing briefly to gaze at the gorgeous window display

in jewellers Dinny Hall, the perfect choice for lunch is 202, designer Nicole Fahri’s concept store which houses a chic cafe, and still has plenty of room to show off her elegant clothing and homewares collections. It’s also a great place for brunch, or just tea and cake, and has a very pretty little garden at the back which is a gorgeous place for a glass of rose on drowsy summer days. Yet another inspirational shop for when mirrormirror grows up.

Shopping Notting Hill – Part 1

September 8, 2006 By Paola 7 Comments

I thought we’d start our little trip round Notting Hill on the south side of Westbourne Grove, the beautiful street which winds through the heart of the area. It used to be full of antique shops and galleries, but now, while some of these remain, it has been overtaken by some very chi-chi shops indeed, including big designer brands such as Joseph, Mulberry, and Ted Baker.

However there are still some absolute gems to be found.

The first place to show you is Tavola – the Italian deli which is top chef Alastair Little’s (scroll down for biog) latest venture. Alastair runs a cookery school in Italy and clearly spends a lot of time out there sourcing wonderful products, though he can also often be seen in the deli preparing fabulous pre-cooked food to take away. It’s the deli I visit least as it’s furthest from my apartment, but, being half-Italian, the one I think I love most. The staff scrub up quite nicely too….

Just along from Tavola is the Tea Palace, another newish venture – a large and beautiful room dedicated to the great British tradition of afternoon tea (though you can get a light lunch there as well).

It feels like such a treat to go there – your cakes arrive on silver stands, the table linen is thick and luxurious and I love the wallpaper covered with cake doilies. The homemade crumpets with butter and honey are stratospherically good. The range of teas on the menu is quite breathtaking and are all for sale in elegant purple tea caddies, as well as a lot of other teamaking paraphernalia. The only downside is that they don’t take reservations, so sometimes it’s really difficult to get a table.

The final stop on our trip today is the Diptyque shop, which requires no introduction except to say that it’s scented candle heaven and they always have lovely window displays.

Sp-egg-tacular?

September 6, 2006 By Paola Leave a Comment

I thought that regular readers might like an update on the temporary summer pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery – which this year basically comprises a round polycarbonate structure with a white balloon forming the roof.

To be honest I was a little disappointed when I saw the finished article. The initial artist’s impression had suggested an ethereal transparent balloon which would, I think have been a lot more amazing than the opaque white which has been used in the final building.

From some perspectives it just looks rather ordinary – as ordinary as a white balloon in the middle of a London park can look. Occasionally though, as you catch glimpses of it through the trees, it looks like the aliens have landed, and from close up it does have a real sense of silent majesty and grandeur.

The Minx and I were most impressed by the ‘furniture’ inside. The pavilion functions as a cafe’ by day and the ‘tables’ and ‘chairs’ are just very dense foam blocks – perfect for the Minx to climb all over and looking rather like an abstract art installation.

Commenter of the Week – Atelier 455

September 1, 2006 By Paola 5 Comments

Go and say hello to the lovely Joanna at Atelier 455. Her blog is a treasure trove of design ideas with a vintage twist and she also sells her framed vintage ephemera through her Etsy shop. The rest of the time she is a freelance web consultant, who can be contacted here.

Example of Joanna’s work from her Etsy shop

I’ve been particularly enjoying a series of blog posts she has written recently about Marylebone High Street and its truly wonderful shops. Last year I took myself down there to do my Christmas shopping and managed to do everything in a single afternoon which was gobsmackingly amazing. And it wasn’t too crowded either. If ever we launch an offline version of mirrormirror then Marylebone High Street would be the perfect place for the flagship store.

Before I go to Seattle I think I’ll depress myself entirely by doing a similar series on Notting Hill shops – watch this space.